Restarting the Passion, Coming back to the Hobby!

[Dartolution]

Hello guys! Its been years since I got out of this hobby due to finishing college, moving to a new city, starting a new job and many other "life" deal-e-o's.
That being said, about a year ago I started gathering what I would need to begin anew.
I acquired a 40gallon breeder, and drilled it with one of those glass holes kits for the overflow and return. I found a stand a buddy of mine who used to be a member on this board (out of the hobby as well) that I could use for it, though I plan to sand it down and repaint it high gloss white with nickel pulls.

I am thinking I'm going to construct my own sump using a 29G AGA and baffling with glass from the local glass shop. (open to ideas).

However, after being out of the hobby now for about... 5 years I have come back to see that a LOT has changed. Im not even sure if this is the right board to post these questions on but for those avid readers who like helping other reefers I will definitely appreciate your input and opinions in this small build.

Here are my current plans for this build.
Mostly SPS corals with some LPS like micromussa, and lords
few softies, like cloves, zoas, and maybe one or two others (undecided). Would love to put at least one cespitularia colony in this build but I have my doubts about its survival.

Current Planned Specification:

40g breeder style 36"x18"x18"
Glass Holes DIY 700gph kit.
Handmade sump using either a 29gallon or 20gallon , leaning more toward the 29, suggestions welcome!
Mag5 return pump (suggestions welcome)
Skimmer undecided *need help*! :sad2:
Lighting (LED preferably, but undecided) need help... :sad2:
Vortech MP10 ES
Running GFO in a reactor,
Biopellets in another reactor or using the sump and a filter sock
2 part Ca system from BRS or B-Ionics. IM partial to B-Ionics.


What I am trying to decide on are skimming capacity and lighting mainly right now.

I also would like a shallow fine sand bed and/or refugium built in the sump.

So, what do you guys think would be a good skimmer with those specifications for this sized build, as well as lighting. Im honestly lost on the lighting. I would like LED's because they use less power, and produce less heat. however, when I left the hobby LED's were just coming on the scene, I have no ides WHAT has been learned since their arrival.

Thanks for the help in advance guys! :wavehand:

 

[xanthurum]

Here is my advice but you don't have to take my word for it.
1. if you want to go LED I suggest Ecotech Marine Radion. I absolutely love mine and I think they are they best.

2. I know I am not the only one to suggest Ecotech Marine MP's for your powerheads. I run my MP-10 WES on reefcrest mode and my Radion turns it to night mode which is awesome.

3. I would not do softies with SPS, zoas being the exception to that do to chemical warfare. Most softies like leathers put off to many undesirable chemicals that may adversely affect your SPS. Cloves may not do well in the ultra clean environment neded fo SPS. Most LPS like lords and Favia are fine, I even have a NPS Gorgonian in my SPS dominant tank.

4. Skimmer I don't have a suggestion as I don't run one I just do weekly 5 gallon water changes. I do like super reef octopus skimmers though.

5. Keep it simple I don't run GFO and cant seem to ever get my phosphates over .5 even with heavy coral feeding and fish feeding.

6. Auto Top Off will help keep things more stable in a smaller system.

 

[Dartolution]

Hey Thanks xanthurum.

I have been leaning toward the MaxSpect Razors, but I just say a tank build with one of ATI's dual T5 and LED combo light fixtures that I kinda like, but DONT like the price tag thats attached to it!

Im definitely getting the MP10. Im just debating between one or two of them. One at first of course.

There appears to be a popular trend right now with the Vertex Omega's..
Do you think the 130 model will suffice for this build? I do not plan on having a large bioload...

The only soft corals I am really interested in are Zoas, Cespitularia, Ricordia(maybe), and thats really about it... I have had Sarcophyton leathers with SPS before, I just used carbon and sachem's purigen a lot to minimize the issues with chemical warfare (BTW if anyone knows this term... chemo something please tell me I've forgotten.) It was a battle though, and I don't think I want to deal with that again.

Thanks for your suggestion about GFO, I have overused it in the past. I think this time I will just monitor my PO4 level closely and use it as needed, in small amounts.

 

[Benar]

LEDs are still a funny game. That being said I have seen great results from razors. Percentage wise I've seen more success stories with them compared to other pure LED I lights. T5 combos are great and I use a PacSun fixture for this now. I've used a Radion G2 before, not knocking xanthurum but I've sold it if that says anything. Green SPS did ok under it, lots of other colours did not.
Vertex Omegas I have no personal experience, seem to skim well but can be fiddly? from what I've read. I'm sure your skimmer options are better & cheaper than what I can get my hands on down under.

 

[Dartolution]

Thanks guy!
Down under? Im assuming your in Australia?

Ive liked the razors design and ease of programing since I saw it come out, but I really wanted to see how other hobbiests aquariums did using this product.


Im really fond of blues, yellows and reds myself... so finding a light balance that shows these colors is optimal for me.

Im also concerned about overskimming with the octopus line or vertex... anyone have any thoughts..

For fish Im thinking of a fairly light bioload, with maybe a leopard wrasse, yellow tang, a pair of dartfish, and a fang blenny.... thats pretty much all i plan on.

 

[Dartolution]

Bump for opinions!

 

[Dartolution]

Old Photos and New

Old Photos and New

So I started digging around and remembered I had a few photos saved on Photobucket, which I had not accessed in probably 5 years easily. Thankfully, and amazingly PHOTOBUCKET still had my account as being active somehow and I was able to get a few pictures of my 75gallon reef from years 4/5 and 8/9 roughly, its hard to remember.
I also took a couple pictures of the empty new 40g breeder build as of now after it has been painted.

Enjoy

Mixed 75g reef at age 4/5 I believe:

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Mixed 75g Reef at the end of its life after 3 moves in one year... whew...

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[Dartolution]

And since this is an SPS form
some old SPS colonies I used to have:

( Pardon the image quality, I was taking this on a smartphone back then I think )

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Got this big Montipora colony, i forget the species one day that was neon green and blue polyped ... if anyone can identify Im curious:

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Rainbow Danae frag

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[Dartolution]

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Some strange Linkia Star I acquired at one point:

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Pink/Yellow Cycloseries plate.
Please excuse my spelling, its been a while since I've spelled any coral genus/species. haha

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Acan Lord frags , (back when they FIRST started appearing in the hobby)

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Blastomussa Welsii

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Fungia Spawn

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Top Down after a move/browning event :hmm2:

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[Dartolution]

AND lastly,
The new build, 40gallon Breeder painted White
I have the overflow kit but I haven't put it on yet because I still need to get the background done. I am going with black kitchen cabinet liner.

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[Dartolution]

On its way

On its way

So, today I've placed my order for my remaining items I need to get this build started, excluding pvc/tubing and other misc. parts needed for plumbing.

Plus, I have 30lbs of Tonga Self rock, and 30lbs of Pukani rock, both dry rock on its way, with 50 lbs live sand, 40lbs of fiji pink, and 10lbs of oolite.

For now lighting will consist of a FNI (2) bulb 39W T5 fixture (as it is on hand), with a 10K bulb and KZ Fiji Purple for now.

Still debating on a skimmer for this build but leaning more toward Vertex Omega 130 or 150 model...

I don't plan on having a high bioload for this build, fish are nice but... its the corals that do it for me. Im going to estimate 5-8 small reef fish.

Also ordered a biopellet reactor to have on startup.

Lighting is still undecided as well, I want to build my own lighting system using DIY CREE LED's (24 array) and (2) T5's but haven't decided on the spectrums yet, I do know I will be using the one KZ Fiji Purple T5 for sure. Suggestions are welcome!

Ill post pictures of the setup and items when they come in!

#excited haha!:lmao:

 

[chrismhaase]

I like the idea and you and I are exactly in the same position however you kept some equipment while I sold all of mine.

Biopellets seem new to me and I started to read about them. What's a quick two line reason you want to go with them?

I do like the MP power heads and will use them. As for some of your remaining equipment, take a look at Avast Marine. They look like they have some nice stuff and if you have a DIY flavor, you can build your own stuff and save some money.

I will be following along. Good luck.

 

[Andyf30]

As far as lighting goes, if you are set on LED look at the radions or the AI Hydra52's which, since ecotech bought out AI, are a fixture that I would trust almost as much as the radion, and for around 100 or 200 bucks less than the Radion Pro. As far as the skimmer, can't go wrong with the vertex.

 

[cugly]

Nice tank...if you can afford the ati hybrid do it you will like the t5 led combo

 

[Dartolution]

Thanks for the replies:

Biopellets seem new to me and I started to read about them. What's a quick two line reason you want to go with them?

The main reason I wanted the biopellet reactor was simply just for extra bacterial support, and because I was given the pellets by a good friend in the hobby.
I was wanting to have a refugium in the original design, but space will not allow for it.

As far as lighting goes, if you are set on LED look at the radions or the AI Hydra52's which, since ecotech bought out AI, are a fixture that I would trust almost as much as the radion, and for around 100 or 200 bucks less than the Radion Pro. As far as the skimmer, can't go wrong with the vertex.

Thanks Andyf30, I have reviewed both of those brands of lighting, and like them both, however I really want to do something custom myself this build when it comes to lighting to mimic the ATI LED hybrid power module at a fraction of its cost. Ill be posting layout images of diode placement within the next few days.

Basically what I want to do is use aluminum channel to create a suspended "industrial" look for the lighting using either (3) 1.5"x24" heatsinks (12 array) and (2) T5's bolted to this frame I will create.
The reason behind me building my own array is to have complete control over the exact spectrum I am going for, something I have never done and want to do.

I plan on using CREE's, which most agree are the best diodes on the market for our purposes, and ATI / KZ T5 bulbs.

Nice tank...if you can afford the ati hybrid do it you will like the t5 led combo

Thanks, that is the look I am going for, but I am not paying 1400 on a lighting system when I can build a comparable DIY model myself using the information ATI gives for its LED array. Sounds cheap probably to say that but I have been in this hobby for 10 years + now and if there is one thing I have seen its marketing really gets to people at times. You can create/buy similar products for fractions of the cost and get very similar results and use the saving for livestock/supplies down the road. haha, I'm very budget conscious.

 

[Dartolution]

SO! I am excited to say that tuesday afternoon my order came through from BRS.
UPS left it on my doorstep and I didn't notice until 2:45pm that it was even out there, they didn't even knock!

Anyway it was like christmas! Finally after 5 years of not having a reef tank I feel like I'm getting back into the swing of things!

6 Boxes of supplies ! YAY!

Tonga Branch rock 1

Another side:

Pukani 1

Another side:

Live Sand:
I chose to go with tried and true Carib Sea Arag-Alive
FIJI PINK x 40lbs and 10lbs of Oolite
I know its a finer grade, and with the flow I may have to be careful about how I position powerheads/flow but I have used oolite before in an SPS reef.

More Goodies I needed for the build:

MORE pukani!!!! I didn't realize how much you get!

All of the rock, both Tonga plate and Pukani... LORD!

Note to self: When ordering DRY rock do not order as you would order LIVE rock... you'll get twice as much as you need!
Good news is that I will be able to have multiple aquascaping options... the rest Ill sell I suppose.

My next step is an RODI rinse / flush to see if phosphates are released before I use it.


Also, what do you guys use to bond pieces together? I am wanting to do this column / self thing with a few of the tonga pieces and need a strong adhesive to do it.

The sump is also baffled but not cured yet, I think 7 days out in 95+ degree Alabama summer heat with a fan on it is enough to cure the silicon.

 

[Dartolution]

Bare Bones Aquascaping

Bare Bones Aquascaping

Started aquascaping dry tonight, messing around to see what rock I needed to start rinsing of any pollutants.

The first design side, which I am not too fond of:

and after a few hours of messing around some more I ended up with this:

I may tweak a little, but tell me what you guys think.


Also couldn't seem to find the black cabinet adhesive liner this evening anywhere for the background... bummer...

I did however get the sump put in, with the equipment and plumbing done for this build.

 

[chrismhaase]

What about black spray paint? It is cheap, can be easily removed and in a couple months coralline will be covering the back glass anyway.

 

[PaleHorse]

if you leave the right side and completely take out the left side the tank will be perfect. tons of swimming room and a kind of a minimalist look

 

[Dartolution]

if you leave the right side and completely take out the left side the tank will be perfect. tons of swimming room and a kind of a minimalist look

Yea was kind of thinking about this... more open like some of Takashi Amano's freshwater aquascapes...

My problem is love the pukani and the tonga branch, but marrying the two together in the same structure looks awkward...

thoughts?